Blue eyes are the main character in many songs and poetic works, and this is no accident. Their beauty is truly immense. But what do we not know about them? What can these rare eyes surprise us with?
Actually, the rarity of blue eyes depends on where you are
Depending on the geographical area you are in, both blue eyes and brown eyes are considered rare. For example, brown eyes are rare in Scandinavian countries. There, almost the entire population is blue-eyed. In Finland, 89% of people have blue eyes, according to the World Atlas. That's a really big percentage.
Blue eyes are not the rarest worldwide
Again according to an article published in the World Atlas, blue eyes occupy between 8 and 10 percent globally. Green eyes are the rarest. Only 2% of people in the world are green-eyed and they live mostly in Central, Western and Northern Europe.
There is no blue pigment in blue eyes
As strange as it sounds, the blue color of blue eyes does not come from blue pigment in them. There is a very small amount of melanin in blue eyes, which is significantly more in brown eyes. When the light is refracted and perceived by others, the eyes of blue-eyed people appear blue without actually being.
Everyone with blue eyes has a common ancestor
Many people today have blue eyes, but thousands of years ago this was not the case. Thanks to scientists from the University of Copenhagen, today we know that between 6,000 and 10,000 years before the new era, all people had brown eyes, writes Science Daily. At this time, a gene mutation occurs that controls the amount of melanin in the body. It is the pigment that determines the color of our skin, eyes and hair. In this way, people with blue eyes were born, of whom the blue-eyed people today are descendants.
Why do blue eyes look a different shade every time?
You've probably noticed that blue eyes don't look the same every time. Their shades change, and there is a reason for this, and it has to do with why we see blue eyes as blue in the first place, and not any other color. It all depends on how much light enters the eye and is reflected by it.
Why do babies' irises turn from blue to green or brown?
When they are born, most babies' eyes are different shades of blue. Subsequently, their eye color changes. Even if they remain blue, the shade may not be the same. This is due to the fact that the amount of melanin after birth is significantly less. It takes time for this pigment to build up in the baby's irises and for the eye color to change to what it will be for most of the child's life.
Brown-eyed parents can have a blue-eyed child
Genetics is a science full of surprises. She can give brown-eyed parents a blue-eyed child and vice versa. It all depends on which gene from the child's ancestors on both sides will be dominant and transmit the eye color.
Blue eyes are more sensitive to light
Just as fair people's skin is more susceptible to burns and sun allergies, light eyes are more vulnerable than brown ones. Less melanin means less protection from the sun's harmful rays. If you have blue or any other light-colored eyes, wear sunglasses with special protection, just as you apply sunscreen when you go out in the sun.
